Super Cup match

Egyptian players of the al-Ahli club celebrate scoring the winning goal against Haras al-Hodud club during their Super Cup match in Cairo July 25, 2010. Ahli won 1-0. AFP PHOTO/KHALED DESOUKI

FC Bayern Munich camp

FC Bayern Munich football team trains on the third day of the FC Bayern Munich pre-season training camp on July 21, 2010 in Riva del Garda. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE

A team photo session of his new club Bayer Leverkusen

German soccer star Michael Ballack, up left, is pictured during a team photo session of his new club Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Tuesday, July 20, 2010. Upper row from left: Michael Ballack, Manuel Friedrich, Sami Hyypiae, Stefan Reinartz, Nicolai Joergensen, Simon Rolfes. second row from left: Renato Augusto, Marcel Risse, Michal Kadlec, Eren Derdiyok, Daniel Schwaab, Lars Bender, Thanos Petsos, Domagoj Vida. Third row from left: Physio Sven Elsinger, physio Till Rothweiler, team doctor Karl-Heinrich Dittmar, physio Bodo Kuczmann, goal coach Ruediger Vollborn, assistant coach Holger Broich, head coach Jupp Heynckes, second coach Peter Hermann, assistant coach Zvonko Komes, assistant Klaus Zoeller, assistant Dieter Schick, team manager Hans-Peter Lehnhoff. Buttom from left: Patrick Helmes, Burak Kaplan, Christoph Siefkes, Lars Bender, Thomasz Bobel, Fabian Giefer, Rene Adler, Benedikt Fernandez, Hanno Balitsch, Gonzalo Castro, Sidney Sam. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Coutinho Correia of Brazil

Inter Milan soccer team new midfielder 18-year-old Philippe Coutinho Correia of Brazil, left, poses with an Inter jersey during his presentation, in Appiano Gentile, northern Italy Monday July 19, 2010. Inter signed Coutinho from Vasco De Gama earlier in the year. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Adriano Correia's in Barcelona

Barcelona's coach Pep Guardiola answers a question during new Brazilian signing Adriano Correia's presentation at the Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona, July 19, 2010. Adriano signed a four-year contract with the club. REUTERS/Gustau Nacarino (SPAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)

"Ferrari World" theme park in Abu Dhabi

A handout picture from Ferrari press office shows an artist's illustration of "Ferrari World" theme park, the first of its kind for the iconic Italian carmaker that is being constructed in Abu Dhabi. AFP PHOTO

Wesley Sneijder get married

Inter-Milan's Dutch football player Wesley Sneijder (R) and Dutch model Yolanthe Cabau smile as they leave the Church of San Giusto e Clemente in Castelnuovo Berardenga near Siena, on July 17, 2010 after their wedding in the tuscan village. AFP PHOTO/ Tiziana Fabi

Grand Prix of Aachen jumping tournament

Janne-Friederike Meyer of Germany clears a jump on her horse Cellagon Lambrasco during the Grand Prix of Aachen jumping tournament at the World Equestrian Festival CHIO in Aachen July 18, 2010. Reuters/Bernd Lauter (GERMANY - Tags: SPORT EQUESTRIANISM)

2010 Tour de France cycling race (nice wallpaper)

The pack ride past sunflowers during the 184,5 km and 14th stage of the 2010 Tour de France cycling race run between Revel and Ax-Trois-Domaines, southern France in Pyrenees region on July 18, 2010. TOPSHOTS/AFP PHOTO/JOEL SAGET

Myanmar's 2010 Olympic Day

In this photo taken Saturday, July 17, 2010, a Myanmar bodybuilder strikes a pose while competing in a contest to mark the country's 2010 Olympic Day, organized by the Myanmar Bodybuilding Federation at the Myanmar Convention Center, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win)

World cup trophy wrapped with a Spanish flag

Spain's striker Fernando Torres raises the World cup trophy wrapped with a Spanish flag following the 2010 World Cup football final between the Netherlands and Spain on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg. Spain won 1-0. NO PUSH TO MOBILE / MOBILE USE SOLELY WITHIN EDITORIAL ARTICLE - AFP PHOTO / JEWEL SAMAD

المد الأحمر يحتفل بالمنتخب الأسباني المتوج في جنوب أفريقيا

مدريد 13 تموز/يوليو (د ب أ)- "لقد حققنا الحلم الذي طالما راودنا جميعا
منذ الصغر".
وأمام أمواج من المد الأحمر صنعها أكثر من 150 ألف شخص تجمعوا في ساحة
كبيرة في مدريد ، كان قائد المنتخب الأسباني لكرة القدم إيكر كاسياس هو
المسئول في الليلة الماضية عن بدء الاحتفال الكبير بالحلم الذي تحقق
وهو: الفوز بكأس العالم لكرة القدم للمرة الأولى.
جلست البلاد بما تعنيه العبارة تحت قدمي اللاعبين الذين تمكنوا أول أمس
الأحد ، أخيرا ، من صناعة التاريخ. مئات الآلاف من الأشخاص غزوا واحتلوا
العاصمة الأسبانية ، في اليوم الذي عاد فيه المنتخب الأسباني إلى بلاده
بعد تغلبه على هولندا 1/ صفر في نهائي مونديال جنوب أفريقيا.
وبعد استقبالهم من قبل الأسرة المالكة ورئيس الحكومة الأسبانية خوسيه
لويس رودريجيز ثاباتيرو ، جاب الفريق بقيادة كاسياس قلب مدريد ، الذي
امتلأ عن آخره ، في حافلة مكشوفة وهم يحملون الكأس بين أيديهم. استغرق
بهم الأمر أكثر من ثلاث ساعات للتحرك وسط بحر من أعلام البلاد.
إنه أمر لا يصدق"، جملة خرجت من بين الجموع أكثر مرة. حماس وسعادة تفيض
من الشوارع ، وكذلك من داخل الحافلة حيث حاول لاعبو المدير الفني فيسنتي
دل بوسكي استيعاب ملحمتهم.
وكان من الصعب على الشرطة فتح طريق أمام الحافلة في مسارها نحو ساحة
"بوينتي دل ري"، إلى جوار نهر مانزاناريس. تكرر التنبيه مرة بعد أخرى
"إنهم هنا ، إنهم هنا"، وسط هتاف جماعي فخور "أبطال ، أبطال".
كاسياس ، أندريس إنييستا ، ديفيد فيا ، كارلس بويول... قفز اللاعبون
ورقصوا وحيوا وتفاعلوا مع أهل مدريد وباقي أسبانيا الذين أتوا من العديد
من مناطق البلاد للاحتفال بأول انتصار لأسبانيا في المونديال.
وفي شارع "جران بيا" الشهير كانت هناك مساحة للحركة. تحول ميدان
"سيبيليس" إلى بحر من الأشخاص المتقافزين ، بينما كان هناك علم يلف
تمثال الإلهة الشهير الذي يحمل نفس الاسم. وتكرر المشهد في طريق
"الباسيو دل برادو" وساحاتي "أنتوتشا" و"توليدو" وشارع "بايلين". حتى
الأشجار كانت قد سكنت من قبل العديد من الأشخاص الذين اعتلوها ليتمكنوا
من مشاهدة اللاعبين ، بينما كانت الطائرات العسكرية ترسم السماء بأعلام
أسبانيا.
واحتفل أندريس إنييستا بفريقه بقوله "أقول فقط إن عليكم الفخر بهذه
المجموعة ، من أولهم إلى آخرهم ، لأنهم الأفضل"، وذلك بعد يوم واحد من
تسجيله الهدف الذي منح أسبانيا الفوز على هولندا وسمح لها بتحقيق أول
ألقابها المونديالية.
وقال اللاعب "أشعر بأنني فخور بأن أكون جزءا من هذا المنتخب في هذه
اللحظة من التاريخ" وذلك خلال الحفل الذي نظمته بلدية مدريد والاتحاد
الملكي الأسباني لكرة القدم ، والذي كان بيبي رينا الحارس الثاني
للمنتخب هو مصدر الضحك الرئيسي فيه.
وأعرب اللاعبون الذين كانوا قد وصلوا إلى مكان الاحتفال قرب منتصف الليل
، عن امتنانهم للدعم من فوق المسرح الذي غنى عليه العديد من المطربين.
وصرخ الهداف ديفيد فيا "إننا فخورون للغاية برؤية كل هذا العدد من
الأشخاص هنا سعداء. لنستمتع جميعا لأننا نستحق ذلك. لتحيا أسبانيا ،
وتحيا كرة القدم. إننا الأفضل".
ووسط ثورة اللاعبين ، تحدث دل بوسكي بهدوء كعادته. وأثنى على لاعبيه
قائلا "إن هذا الفريق لم يعرف فقط كيف يفوز ، بل فعل ذلك عن جدارة".
وأعرب المدرب عن امتنانه للجماهير "شكرا للدعم والطاقة التي أرسلتموها
إلينا في جنوب أفريقيا ... أعتقد أنكم جميعا أيضا أبطال للعالم".
(د ب أ) ص س/أي 13/7/2010

Spanish team victory ceremony in Madrid

(From L top) Spain's midfielder Sergio Busquets, Spain's striker Fernando Torres and Spain's defender Raul Albiol celebrate on a stage set up for the Spanish team victory ceremony in Madrid on July 12, 2010 a day after they won the 2010 FIFA football World Cup match against the Netherlands in Johannesburg. AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL RIOPA

Spain's soccer team celebrates with the World Cup trophy after their final match victory over Netherlands.

 

Second Half still 0-0 Holland is well performing

 

Paul the Octopus in brief

Paul the Octopus (hatched January 2008) is a common octopus living in a tank at a Sea Life Centre in Oberhausen, Germany, who is used as an animal oracle to predict the results of football matches, usually international matches in which Germany is playing. He came to worldwide attention with his accurate predictions in the 2010 World Cup.

During a divination, Paul is presented with two boxes containing food, each marked with the flag of a national football team in an upcoming match. He chose the box with the flag of the winning team in several of Germany's six Euro 2008 matches, and in all seven of their matches in the 2010 World Cup—with Germany's third place playoff win over Uruguay on 10 July, his success rate rose to 85 percent, with 11 out of 13 matches correctly predicted. He has predicted a win for Spain against the Netherlands in the World Cup final on 11 July by eating the mussel in the box with the Spanish flag on it.[1]

Paul in his tank
 
Results involving Germany Germany

Opponent Tournament Stage Date Prediction Result Outcome
 Poland Euro 2008 group stage 8 June 2008 Germany 2–0 Correct
 Croatia Euro 2008 group stage 12 June 2008 Germany[2][21] 1–2 Incorrect
 Austria Euro 2008 group stage 16 June 2008 Germany 1–0 Correct
 Portugal Euro 2008 quarter-finals 19 June 2008 Germany 3–2 Correct
 Turkey Euro 2008 semi-finals 25 June 2008 Germany 3–2 Correct
 Spain Euro 2008 final 29 June 2008 Germany[2] 0–1 Incorrect
 Australia World Cup 2010 group stage 13 June 2010 Germany[30] 4–0 Correct
 Serbia World Cup 2010 group stage 18 June 2010 Serbia[30] 0–1 Correct
 Ghana World Cup 2010 group stage 23 June 2010 Germany[30] 1–0 Correct
 England World Cup 2010 round of 16 27 June 2010 Germany[31] 4–1 Correct
 Argentina World Cup 2010 quarter-finals 3 July 2010 Germany[24] 4–0 Correct
 Spain World Cup 2010 semi-finals 7 July 2010 Spain[32] 0–1 Correct
 Uruguay World Cup 2010 3rd place play-off 10 July 2010 Germany[33] 3–2 Correct

Potential biases

Roquain goes on to admit that chance is not necessarily the only explanation for Paul's choices. He could be choosing boxes systematically—if not on the basis of football expertise, then perhaps on his evaluation of the countries' flags or the food offered.[11]

The species Octopus vulgaris is almost certainly color blind; neither behavioral studies nor electroretinogram experiments show any discrimination of a colour's hue.[12][13] Nonetheless, individuals can distinguish brightness as well as an object's size, shape, and orientation. Shelagh Malham of Bangor University states that they are drawn to horizontal shapes, and indeed, there are horizontal stripes on the flags he has chosen. The flag of Germany, a bold tricolour consisting of three equal horizontal bands of black, red and gold, is Paul's usual favorite. But the flag of Spain, with its broad yellow stripe, and the flag of Serbia, with its contrast of blue and white, are more vivid still, possibly explaining why Paul picked those countries over Germany.[12] Fey suggested that Paul was confused by the similarities between the German and Spanish flags; this was on July 6, when Fey expressed hope that Paul's latest pick would be wrong.[14]

Matthew Fuller, the senior aquarist at the Weymouth park where Paul was born, judged the flag-shape theory to be plausible: "[Octopuses] are the most intelligent of all the invertebrates and studies have shown they are able to distinguish shapes and patterns so maybe he's able to recognise flags."[15] Vyacheslav Bisikov, a Russian biologist, agrees that it is possible for an octopus to become attracted to a striped flag.[16] Drosos Koutsoubos, a marine biologist at the University of the Aegean, is more cautious: "Well, I'm not a specialist in the behavior of octopuses and I can't give you with certainty an answer to this particular question. At least to my knowledge, it's rather a matter of random selection rather than any other selection."[17] Pascal Coutant, director of the La Rochelle Aquarium, puts it more emphatically: "It's complete chance that guides his choices."[18]

Octopus vulgaris is also equipped with sensitive chemoreceptors on its tentacles, which are used to taste food and "smell" the water. Biologist Volker Miske, of the University of Greifswald, suggests that minor chemical differences on the surface of each box might account for Paul's decisions.[19] Bisikov states that Paul could be "easily trained" to choose the right box by smell.[16] According to Paul's keepers, there are holes in the jars to help him choose.[20]

Theories of his behavior could be systematically tested if Paul were to repeat his selection many times, but he only selects one box per game.[19] A scientific experiment would be more vigilant towards sources of bias, including the flag visuals and potential differences in the preparation of the food.[11]

 

Uncertain future for Paul the octopus

Paul the Octopus picks Spain over Netherlands to win World Cup

Germany vs Uruguay 3-2




Germany 3 - Uruguay 2, posted with vodpod

Uruguay is the new Football masters

Uruguay's Diego Forlan reacts after his free kick hit the cross bar at the end of the 2010 World Cup third place playoff soccer match against Germany in Port Elizabeth July 10, 2010. REUTERS

Germany vs Uruguay 3-2 via Sami Khedira's head

Germany's Sami Khedira (3rd L) heads to score against Uruguay during their 2010 World Cup third place playoff soccer match in Port Elizabeth July 10, 2010. REUTERS/Oleg Popov (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP)

World cup Hero Diego Forlan scores 2nd goal against Germany

Uruguay's Diego Forlan, left, scores a goal past Germany goalkeeper Joerg Butt, second from right in back, during the World Cup third-place soccer match between Germany and Uruguay at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Saturday, July 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)

Germany's Marcell Jansen (2nd L) heads the ball to score second goal

Germany's Marcell Jansen (2nd L) heads the ball to score as Uruguay's goalkeeper Fernando Muslera (R) challenges during their 2010 World Cup third place playoff soccer match in Port Elizabeth July 10, 2010. REUTERS/Oleg Popov (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP)

Edison Cavani scores Uruguay first goal

Uruguay's Edison Cavani, second from left at top, scores the equalizing goal past Germany goalkeeper Joerg Butt, center, during the World Cup third-place soccer match between Germany and Uruguay at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Saturday, July 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Roberto Candia)

Mueller scores a goal

Germany's Thomas Mueller scores a goal during their 2010 World Cup third place playoff soccer match against Uruguay in Port Elizabeth July 10, 2010. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER WORLD CUP)

Puyol attends a press conference

Spain's defender Carles Puyol attends a press conference on July 8, 2010 in the North West University Sports Village in Potchefstroom three days before the 2010 Football World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium in Soweto, outside Johannesburg. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO

Logo of the 2014 Football World Cup Brazil

A picture released by the FIFA shows the logo of the 2014 Football World Cup Brazil that was officially launched on July 8, 2010 at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa. AFP PHOTO

WC2014 Brazil Logo

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (C), Brazil 2014 WC organizing committee president Ricardo Texeira (4th from L), FIFA president Joseph Sepp Blatter (2nd from R) and former Brazilian football players and football personalities cheer as they celebrate the official launch of the FIFA WC2014 Brazil Logo on July 8, 2010 at the Sandton Convention Center in Johannesburg, South Africa. AFP PHOTO / GIANLUIGI GUERCIA

Wesley Sneijder and David Villa


A combination of two pictures taken during the 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa in July 2010 shows (at L) Netherlands' midfielder Wesley Sneijder and (at R) Spain's striker David Villa, both celebrating after scoring a goal. The Netherlands will clash with Spain in the final of the tournament at Soccer City Stadium in Soweto, near Johannesburg, on July 11, 2010. AFP PHOTO / THOMAS COEX - GABRIEL BOUYS

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